16th December 2022
I am writing with reference to the NASUWT strike days proposed for 11th and 12th January 2023.
Unfortunately, and again working on the basis that all teachers that could choose to strike will do so, I regret to inform you that I will have to ask Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 to once more remain at home on Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th January.
Please note that the Year 10 students that would normally attend lessons at UCM on a Wednesday morning should continue to do so. Those affected will be required to make their own way to and from the college. The school will not be providing any transport.
The school’s Specialist Provision Centre will also remain open on both days, and students that attend this facility should come into school as normal.
The Sixth Form will remain open so Key Stage 5 students should come into school. In the situation where a teacher is not striking, lessons will go ahead. For the remainder of the time, students should complete independent study. A staff member will reside in that area of the school to provide supervision. The Year 13 Mock Examinations scheduled for the 11th and 12th January will go ahead as planned.
Arrangements will again be made for students eligible for Free School Meals to collect a packed lunch from the foyer. I am afraid that we do not have sufficient resources to provide any kind of delivery. We will contact the relevant parents/carers in due course to ensure we have the required number of lunches available to collect.
With regards to the provision of work on the days listed above, where applicable, students should either complete ongoing coursework or revision, or they should access their subject specific Google Classrooms. Whilst I would hope that a range of subject specific material will be available for your child to complete, I cannot guarantee this will be the case so two additional classrooms, that contain more generic tasks, can also be accessed using the joining codes listed below:
KS3 materials - z7lhfao
KS4 materials - xd7vydi
Please be mindful that the Year 11 Mock Examinations will take place between 17th and 23rd January so I would hope that students will use the time available to good effect with regards to preparation for these assessments.
Staff not taking industrial action will be asked to provide work via their specific subject Google Classroom.
I continue to appreciate the impact that this will have on our young people and families, and I am again sorry to have to contact you with such disappointing news. I assure you that I would not be taking this difficult decision unless it was essential for the safety and wellbeing of our students.
I will keep you updated if there any changes to these arrangements and will communicate to you in the New Year regarding the arrangements for Wednesday 15th & Thursday 16th February 2023.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your understanding.
Yours faithfully,
Mr G Corrin
Head Teacher